They enforced the programme demanding peaceful co-existence of indigenous people and Bangalees, according to Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Mosharaf Hossain.

A memorandum submitted to the UNO on Friday night alleged that a vested quarter of Bangalees became hostile to indigenous people since killing of a woman by unidentified criminals on April 6. Blaming indigenous people Bangalee residents took several attempts to attack indigenous people, the memorandum said.

On May 27, Bangalees attacked two Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinees belonging to indigenous community when they were returning to their houses after the examination. One of them was injured when BDR (Bangadesh Rifles) personnel posted nearby saved them. Protesting the incident, PCJSS submitted the memo and went on the road and waterway blockade programme, the UNO said quoting the memo.

on May 26, a group of women from the Muslim Block cluster village under the thana submitted a memorandum to the UNO demanding arrest of those responsible for the murder of Fatema Begum, 40, and quick justice.

Fatema was murdered on April 6 when she went to a nearby jungle to bring back her cattle at noon, Sub- Inspector Selim told this correspondent.

Fatema's husband filed a murder case with Baghaichhari thana accusing seven indigenous youths, Selim added.

The district administration held several meetings with local (Baghaichhari) leaders of indigenous people and Bangalees which yielded no result.

Tension mounted in the area.